1990-03-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Selectmen's Meeting -3- March 5, 1990 F- FYDPVQC Members of the Transportation Advisory Committee, and LEXPRESS Coordinator, Pauline Burke, met with the Board to present, as requested, information on a transportation system to address the needs of the elderly. An outline describing alternate systems including a Dial --A-Ride System and a Reduced Hours Fixed Route System, was distributed. Sara Arnold, speaking for the committee, reviewed a Dial -A -Ride system, which would cost the Town about $100,000 /yr. She gave estimated ridership as 3 /per vehicle hour; and estimated cost per passenger as $10.00. Mrs. Arnold added that with this system, 90 to 95% of current LEXPRESS ridership would be eliminated, i.e. students and adults between the ages of 18 and 65. She listed drawbacks to the elderly under the Dial -A -Ride system such as loss of flexibility because of the need to arrange for rides, segregation of the elderly from other age groups, and limited rides allowed per month per senior. A Reduced Hours /Fixed Route System was also described by Mrs. Arnold, which would cost the Town approximately $200,000 /yr. She said that the Transportation Advisory committee supports the fixed route system because it meets the needs of a larger percentage of townspeople. She noted that with an 8 -route system, operating for six hours, approximately 80% of the current LEXPRESS ridership would be eliminated such as commuters, most students and most adults. Regarding the mechanics of Dial -A -Ride, Mrs. Arnold said that seniors would have to call a dispatcher in advance who would need to coordinate rides to various parts-of the Town. Mr. McSweeney raised a question about how residents got around before LEXPRESS and asked if an overlap of MBTA and LEXPRESS routes exists. He expressed his concern about the difficulties in financing the system in years to come. Mr. Dailey referred to offers of some riders to pay considerably higher fares and asked whether it was thought that these offers could be taken seriously. Mrs. Arnold said that some riders would pay more but that others could not afford a price hike and would find it difficult. Sally Castleman, T.A.C. member, said the committee was open to discussion of ways to implement a fare.increase for those who could afford it and felt that the issue of different levels of fares should be pursued. Mr. Dailey pointed out that there are usually transportation opportunities, other than LEXPRESS, for students and was concerned that, at the actual cost to the Town of $2.00 /ride, students are riding on LEXPRESS for .50 cents. He felt that continuous (not on --call service) could be provided for elderly for less than it is costing the Town now. Mrs. Castleman responded to Mr. McSweeney's question about means of transportation before LEXPRESS began operating. She pointed out that there now are more single parents and working mothers which means students need other transportation and more elderly than there were ten years ago. Mr. Eddison referred to the March 3rd discussion of the impact of an override. It had been stated that a homeowner would pay any extra $45.00 + a year and would probably subsidize a 6-route LEXPRESS system at a rate of $9.00 /year which he considered to be fairly reasonable. Fred Rosenberg, former chairman of the T.A.C., noted the flexibility allowed to students with LEXPRESS with respect to after school activities and jobs. He felt that ten years ago, the elderly had been without transportation and had thus been housebound to a great extent.